Multi-actuator interconnector

ABSTRACT

A data storage device includes a first actuator and a second actuator rotatable around a common axis. The data storage device further includes a first electrical connector configured to communicate electrical signals to and from the first actuator via a first flexible circuit. The data storage device further includes a second electrical connector separate from but in a stacked arrangement with the first electrical connector. The second electrical connector is configured to communicate electrical signals to and from the second actuator via a second flexible circuit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 15/927,758,entitled MULTI-ACTUATOR INTERCONNECTOR filed Mar. 21, 2018, which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a storagedevice includes a first actuator and a second actuator rotatable arounda common axis. The storage device further includes a first electricalconnector configured to communicate electrical signals to and from thefirst actuator, and a second electrical connector configured tocommunicate electrical signals to and from the second actuator and tocommunicate electrical signals to and from the first electricalconnector. The storage device includes a hermetically-sealed body, thehermetically-sealed body including a base deck and a top cover, whereinthe second electrical connector is configured to send and receiveelectrical signals to and from the first actuator and the secondactuator through a single aperture in the hermetically-sealed body.

In some variations, the hermetically-sealed body is filled with an inertgas.

In some variations, the second electrical connector is configured tocommunicate electrical signals to and from the first electricalconnector via a flex circuit.

In some variations, the flex circuit is configured to flex around asupport member that is configured to support the first electricalconnector.

In some variations, the storage device includes a first support memberand a second support member, the first and second support members arecoupled to and configured to secure the first and second electricalconnectors.

In some variations, the storage device further includes a spacing memberlocated between the first support member and the second support member.

In some variations, the first electrical connector is configured tocommunicate electrical signals at a first rate and wherein the secondelectrical connector is configured to communicate a volume of electricalsignals at a second rate that is at least twice the first rate.

In some variations, the second electrical connector is configured toseparate electrical signals to and from the second actuator fromelectrical signals to and from the first electrical connector.

According to another embodiment, a storage device comprises a body; afirst actuator within the body, the first actuator being rotatablearound a first axis; a first electrical connector within the body, thefirst electrical connector being configured to communicate electricalsignals to and from the first actuator; a second actuator within thebody, the second actuator being rotatable around the first axis; and asecond electrical connector within the body, the second electricalconnectors being configured to communicate electrical signals to andfrom the second actuator, the first electrical connector, and controlcircuitry located outside of the body.

In some variations, the second electrical connector is configured tocommunicate electrical signals to and from the second actuator, thefirst electrical connector, and circuitry located outside of the bodythrough a single aperture in the body.

In some variations, the first actuator operates independently of thesecond actuator.

In some variations, the first actuator and the first electricalconnector are configured to be removed from the body without removingthe second actuator.

In some variations, the first actuator and the first electricalconnector are configured to be removed from the body without removingthe second electrical connector.

In some variations, the storage device further comprises at least onesecurement member located adjacent at least the first electricalconnector, the at least one securement member being configured to resistcompressive forces.

In some variations, the at least one securement member is furtherconfigured to maintain a spacing between the first electrical connectorand the second electrical connector.

In some variations, the first actuator is located at a differentelevation than the second actuator and wherein the first electricalconnector is located at a different elevation than the second electricalconnector.

In some variations, the first actuator is part of a first dynamic loop,wherein the second actuator is part of a second dynamic loop, andwherein the first dynamic loop is independent of the second dynamicloop.

In another embodiment, an electrical connector assembly for a hard driveemploying at least two actuators includes: a first electrical connectorconfigured to communicate electrical signals to and from a firstactuator through a first dynamic loop; and a second electrical connectorconfigured to communicate electrical signals to and from a secondactuator through a second dynamic loop, the second electrical connectorbeing further configured to communicate electrical signals to and fromthe first actuator via the first electrical connector and the firstdynamic loop.

In some variations, the electrical connector assembly further comprisesa support assembly coupled to the first electrical connector and thesecond electrical connector, the support assembly being configured tosecure the first electrical connector and the second connector.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings anddetailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature andnot restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a hard drive, inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a hard drive, in accordance with certainembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an expanded view of box A in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a cut-away perspective view of a portion of the hard driveof FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows a cut-away side view of a portion of the hard drive of FIG.2.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a first electrical connector andsurrounding components, in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a cut-away perspective view showing a first electricalconnector, a second electrical connector, and surrounding components inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of two actuators, a multi-actuatorinterconnector, and surrounding components in accordance with certainembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a multi-actuator interconnector andsurrounding components in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of two actuators, a multi-actuatorinterconnector, and surrounding components in accordance with certainembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an upper assembly in accordance withcertain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12A shows an unfolded view of an electrical circuit for the upperassembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12B shows an electrical diagram of the electrical circuit of FIG.12A.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a lower assembly in accordance withcertain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14A shows an unfolded view of an electrical circuit for the lowerassembly of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14B shows an electrical diagram of the electrical circuit of FIG.14A.

FIG. 15 shows a top view of a hard drive, in accordance with certainembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows an expanded view of box B in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows a cut-away perspective view of a portion of the hard driveof FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 shows a cut-away side view of a portion of the hard drive ofFIG. 15.

FIG. 19 shows a cut-away perspective view of a first electricalconnector and surrounding components, in accordance with certainembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 show a cut-away perspective view showing a first electricalconnector, a second electrical connector, and surrounding components inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of two actuators, a multi-actuatorinterconnector, and surrounding components in accordance with certainembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 shows a side view of a multi-actuator interconnector andsurrounding components in accordance with certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 23 shows a side view of two voice coil motor assemblies, amulti-actuator interconnector, and surrounding components in accordancewith certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of an individual assembly in accordancewith certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25A shows an unfolded view of an electrical circuit for theassembly of FIG. 24.

FIG. 25B shows an electrical diagram of the electrical circuit of FIG.25A.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, isnot to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. Onthe contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and as shown inFIG. 1, a hard drive 100 includes a base deck 102 and top cover 104.Together, the base deck 102 and top cover 104 form a body 105 for thehard drive 100. The hard drive 100 includes magnetic recording discs 106coupled to a spindle motor 108 by a disc clamp 110. The hard drive 100also includes an actuator 112 coupled to a suspension assembly 114 thatsuspends read/write heads 116 over the magnetic recording discs 106. Theread/write heads 116 may include multiple transducers, including writeelements that write data to data tracks of the magnetic recording discs106 and read elements that read data from the data tracks of themagnetic recording discs 106. In operation, the spindle motor 108rotates the magnetic recording discs 106 while the actuator 112 isdriven by a voice coil motor assembly 124 that rotates the actuator 112around a pivot bearing 126. The actuator 112 may also include amicroactuator positioned at least partially on or between the suspensionassembly 114 and the read/write head 116. The hard drive 100 furtherincludes a servo control system that controls the voice coil motorassembly 124 and the microactuator to position the read/write heads 116over a desired track on the magnetic recording discs 106 for reading andwriting operations.

Electrical signals representing the information to be written to or readfrom the magnetic recording discs 106, as well as electrical signals forinstructing the voice coil motor assembly 124 are transmitted through anelectrical connection assembly 130, which serves as a portal forcommunicating information between components inside the base deck (e.g.,actuator 112) and components outside the base deck 102 (e.g., controlcircuitry mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB)). In particular, theelectrical connection assembly 130 includes a flexible conductive ribbon132 that connects the actuator 112 and voice coil motor assembly 124 toan electrical connector 134. That electrical connector 134 connects tocomponents outside the base deck 102 in order to communicate electricalsignals (e.g., control signals or data signals) through the base deck102.

As discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments the actuator 112can be an actuator assembly having two independent actuators that rotateon a common axis (e.g., a pivot bearing). In those embodiments, anelectrical connection assembly includes multiple electrical connectorsarranged to provide particular benefits. For example, FIG. 2 shows ahard drive 200 having a base deck 202 as part of the body 205 for thehard drive 200. The hard drive 200 includes magnetic recording discs 206coupled to a spindle motor 208 by a disc clamp 210. The hard drive 200also includes an actuator assembly 212 formed of multiple actuators. Asbetter shown in, e.g., FIGS. 4, 11, and 13, the actuator assembly 212includes a first actuator 212A and a second actuator 212B. Theseactuators (212A, 212B) suspend read/write heads over the magneticrecording discs 206. In operation, the spindle motor 208 rotates themagnetic recording discs 206 while the actuators 212A, 212B are drivenby a voice coil motor assembly (VCMA) 224 around a common pivot bearing226. As better shown in, e.g., FIG. 10, the VCMA 224 includes a firstVCMA 224A, which drives the first actuator 212A, and a second VCMA 224B,which drives the second actuator 212B. Thus, in some embodiments, thefirst VCMA 224A and the first actuator 212A operate independently of thesecond VCMA 224B and the second actuator 212B. This increases the datainput/output speed of the hard drive 200 compared to singleVCMA/actuator systems. The first VCMA 224A and the first actuator 212Amay be referred together jointly as an assembly, and the second VCMA224B and the second actuator 212B may also be referred together jointlyas an assembly. As discussed below in more detail, the first VCMA 224Aand the first actuator 212A can be positioned above the second VCMA 224Band the second actuator 212B, such that the first VCMA 224A and thefirst actuator 212A may be referred to as an upper assembly while thesecond VCMA 224B and the second actuator 212B may be referred to as alower assembly.

However, many dual-actuator systems require two communication ports, onefor each VCMA/actuator pairing or assembly, which can significantlyincrease the risk of developing leaks within the base deck, among otherissues. Developing leaks is particularly problematic if the driveenclosure of the base deck is filled with helium or other inert gases.To address that issue, in some embodiments electrical signalsrepresenting the information to be written to or read from the magneticrecording discs 206, as well as electrical signals for instructing theVCMA 224 (including, e.g., VCMA 224A and VCMA 224B) are transmittedthrough a single electrical connection assembly 230. In this manner, theelectrical connection assembly 230 serves as a single communicationsport between components internal to the base deck 202 (e.g., the VCMAsand actuators) and components external to the base deck 202 (e.g.,control circuitry on a PCB). The electrical connection assembly 230 canalso be referred to as a multi-actuator interconnector. One advantage ofthis configuration is that the electrical connection assembly ormulti-actuator interconnector 230 can communicate signals for both VCMAsand actuators using a single aperture, thus reducing the risk of leaks.

For example, in some embodiments, and as shown in, e.g., FIG. 4, theelectrical connection assembly 230 includes two flexible conductiveribbons 232A, 232B. The first flexible conductive ribbon 232A connectsthe first actuator 212A and the first VCMA 224A to a first electricalconnector 234A. The second flexible conductive ribbon 232B connects thesecond actuator 212B and the second VCMA 224B to a second electricalconnector 234B. The second electrical connector 234B connects to thefirst electrical connector 234A via a flex circuit 240. The secondelectrical connector 234B connects to external components (e.g., controlcircuitry on a PCB) located outside the base deck 202, using a singleaperture in the base deck 202.

In this configuration, the second electrical connector 234B transmitselectrical signals from electrical components external to the base deck102 (e.g., control circuitry mounted on a PCB) to both VCMAs andactuators. Stated differently, the second electrical connector 234B isconfigured to communicate a set of electrical signals needed for thefirst VCMA 224A and the first actuator 212A, as well as a second set ofelectrical signals needed for the second VCMA 224B and the secondactuator 212B. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the second electricalconnector 234B handles at least twice the volume of electricalcommunications as the first electrical connector 234A in the same amountof time. This can be accomplished by using additional pins or channelsin the second electrical connector or the like.

As shown in, e.g., FIG. 11, the first flexible conductive ribbon 232Aforms a first dynamic loop with the first VCMA 224A, the first actuator212A, and the first electrical connector 234A. As shown in, e.g., FIG.13, the second flexible conductive ribbon 232B forms a second dynamicloop with the second VCMA, 224B the second actuator 212B, and the secondelectrical connector 234B. Because the second connector 234B transmits adistinct set of signals to the first electrical connector 234A and tothe second VCMA 224B and second actuator 212B, the first dynamic loop isindependent from the second dynamic loop. This reduces the potential forinterference and can be required for independent actuator operation.

As also shown in, e.g., FIGS. 8, 11, and 13, support members 242A and242B (also called flex clamps) secure the first and second electricalconnectors (234A, 234B) and provide resistance to flexing forces. Inthis manner the support members 242A, 242B can prevent compressiveforces from bowing other components. In particular, a first supportmember 242A is located above the first electrical connector 234A. Asecond support member 242B is located below the first electricalconnector 234A and above the second electrical connector 234B. Thesesupport members are made of a relatively stiff material, such as plasticor the like, in order to resist flexing forces exerted on the connectionassemblies. These support members may also include a metallic layer,such as aluminum, which provides increased support and attachability andenables accurate placement. The support members include apertures 244that receive securement members 246, such as screws, posts, or the like.The securement members 246 align and compress the support members 242A,242B to retain the electrical connectors 234A, 234B in place and tomaintain electrical connectivity.

In some embodiments, a flex circuit 240 electrically connects the firstelectrical connector 234A to the second electrical connector 234B. Asshown in, e.g., FIG. 13, the flex circuit 240 wraps around the secondsupport member 242B, contacting pins 252A or other electrical conduitson the bottom of the first electrical connector 234A (as best seen inFIG. 6) and pins 252B or other electrical conduits on the top end of thesecond electrical connector 234B (as best seen in FIG. 7).

As best seen in FIG. 7, the second electrical connector 234Bcommunicates signals through a single aperture 260 in the base deck 202.Sealing elements, such as gaskets or the like (e.g., 362 in FIG. 19),connector housing 262, which isolates and protects the electricalconduits in the connector, and electrical conduits 264 may be used tohermetically seal the aperture 260 while enabling communications withexternal components (e.g., control circuitry 266 on a PCB 268). Asdiscussed above, communicating signals for both VCMAs and actuatorsthrough a single aperture reduces the likelihood of leaks and other suchproblems.

In these configurations, the first VCMA 224A is located at a different,higher elevation than the second VCMA 224B. Similarly, the firstactuator 212A is located at a different, higher elevation than thesecond actuator 212B. The first electrical connector 234A is located ata different, higher elevation than the second electrical connector 234B.The first flexible conductive ribbon 232A is located at a different,higher elevation than the second conductive ribbon 232B. In someembodiments, spacing elements (e.g., spacing element 270 in FIG. 10and/or the support members 242A, 242B) can separate the two VCMAs and/orthe two electrical connectors. As discussed below in more detail, thesearrangements facilitate easier installation and/or repair. Arrangingsome or all of these components in this fashion further reduces thefootprint required within the base deck. Arranging some or all of thesecomponents in this fashion also enables better use of the elevationalspace within the base deck.

As shown in FIGS. 15-25, in some embodiments the electrical connectorscan have a similar or substantially identical profile for easiermanufacturing and installation. Those electrical connectors can also bestacked vertically to reduce the footprint with the base deck. Inparticular, FIG. 15 shows a hard drive 300 having a base deck 302 aspart of the body 305 for the hard drive 300. The hard drive 300 includesmagnetic recording discs 306 coupled to a spindle motor 308 by a discclamp 310. The hard drive 300 also includes an actuator assembly 312formed of multiple actuators. As better shown in, e.g., FIG. 21, theactuator assembly 312 includes a first actuator 312A and a secondactuator 312B. These actuators (312A, 312B) suspend read/write headsover the magnetic recording discs 306. In operation, the spindle motor308 rotates the magnetic recording discs 306 while the actuators 312A,312B are driven by a voice coil motor assembly (VCMA) 324 around acommon pivot bearing 326. As better shown in, e.g., FIG. 23, the VCMA324 includes a first VCMA 324A, which drives the first actuator 312A,and a second VCMA 324B, which drives the second actuator 312B. Thus, inthis embodiment, the first VCMA 324A and the first actuator 312A operateindependently of the second VCMA 324B and the second actuator 312B. Thisincreases the data input/output speed of the hard drive 300 compared tosingle VCMA/actuator systems.

However, many dual-actuator systems require two communication ports, onefor each VCMA/actuator pairing, which can significantly increase therisk of developing leaks within the base deck, among other issues.Developing leaks can be particularly problematic if the base deck isfilled with helium or other inert gases. To address that issue, in someembodiments electrical signals representing the information to bewritten to or read from the magnetic recording discs 306, as well aselectrical signals for instructing the VCMA 324 (including, e.g., VCMA324A and VCMA 324B) are transmitted through a single electricalconnection assembly 330. In this manner, the electrical connectionassembly 330 serves as a single communications port between componentsinternal to the base deck 302 (e.g., the VCMAs and actuators) andcomponents external to the base deck (e.g., control circuitry on a PCB).One advantage of this configuration is that the electrical connectionassembly 330 can communicate signals for both VCMAs and actuators usinga single aperture, thus reducing the risk of leaks.

For example, in some embodiments, and as shown in, e.g., FIG. 21, theelectrical connection assembly 330 includes two flexible conductiveribbons 332A, 332B. The first flexible conductive ribbon 332A connectsthe first actuator 312A and the first VCMA 324A to a first electricalconnector 334A. The second flexible conductive ribbon 332B connects thesecond actuator 312B and the second VCMA 324B to a second electricalconnector 334B. The second electrical connector 334B to the firstelectrical connector 334A via a flex circuit 340B. Another flex circuit340A is located above the first electrical connector 334A. The secondelectrical connector 334B connects to external components (e.g., controlcircuitry on a PCB) located outside the base deck 302, using a singleaperture in the base deck 302.

In this configuration, the second electrical connector 334B transmitselectrical signals from electrical components external to the base deck102 (e.g., control circuitry mounted on a PCB) to both VCMAs andactuators. Stated differently, the second electrical connector 334B isconfigured to communicate a set of electrical signals needed for thefirst VCMA 324A and the first actuator 312A, as well as a second set ofelectrical signals needed for the second VCMA 324B and the secondactuator 312B. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the second electricalconnector 334B handles at least twice the volume of electricalcommunications as the first electrical connector 334A in the same amountof time. This can be accomplished by using additional pins or channelsin the second electrical connector or the like.

As shown in, e.g., FIG. 21, the first flexible conductive ribbon 332Aforms a first dynamic loop with the first VCMA 324A, the first actuator312A, and the first electrical connector 334A. As shown in, e.g., FIG.21, the second flexible conductive ribbon 332B forms a second dynamicloop with the second VCMA, 324B the second actuator 312B, and the secondelectrical connector 334B. Because the second connector 334B transmits adistinct set of signals to the first electrical connector 334A and tothe second VCMA 324B and second actuator 312B, the first dynamic loop isindependent from the second dynamic loop. This reduces the potential forinterference.

As also shown in, e.g., FIG. 17, support members 342A and 342B (alsocalled flex clamps) secure the first and second electrical connectors(334A, 334B) and provide resistance to flexing forces. In particular, afirst support member 342A is located above the first electricalconnector 334A. A second support member 342B is located below the firstelectrical connector 334A and above the second electrical connector334B. These support members are made of a relatively stiff material,such as plastic or the like, in order to resist flexing forces exertedon the connection assemblies. In some embodiments, portions of thesupport members may also serve to limit compression and maintainseparation between components. The support members include apertures 344that receive securement members 346, such as screws, posts, or the like.The securement members 346 compress the support members 342A, 342B toalign and retain the electrical connectors 334A, 334B in place and tomaintain electrical connectivity.

In some embodiments, a flex circuit 340B is used to electrically connectthe first electrical connector 334A to the second electrical connector334B. Another flex circuit 340A may also be added. As shown in, e.g.,FIG. 17, the flex circuit 340B wraps around the second support member342B, contacting pins 352A or other electrical conduits on the bottomend of the first electrical connector 334A (as best seen in FIG. 19) andpins 352B or other electrical conduits on the top end of the secondelectrical connector 334B. In other embodiments, the second supportmember 342B could be configured with pins or channels to connect thefirst and second electrical connectors through the middle of the supportmember rather than using a flex circuit that wraps around the externalsurface of the second support member.

As best seen in FIG. 20, the second electrical connector 334Bcommunicates signals through a single aperture 360 in the base deck 302.Sealing elements 362 and electrical conduits 364 may be used tohermetically seal the aperture 360 while enabling communications withexternal components (e.g., control circuitry on a PCB). As discussedabove, communicating signals for both VCMAs and actuators through asingle aperture reduces the likelihood of leaks and other problems.

In these configurations, the first VCMA 324A is located at a different,higher elevation than the second VCMA 324B. Similarly, the firstactuator 312A is located at a different, higher elevation than thesecond actuator 312B. The first electrical connector 334A is located ata different, higher elevation than the second electrical connector 334B.The first flexible conductive ribbon 332A is located at a different,higher elevation than the second conductive ribbon 332B. In someembodiments, spacing elements (e.g., spacing element 370 in FIG. 17,spacing element 371 in FIG. 17, and/or the support members 342A, 342B)can separate the two VCMAs and/or the two electrical connectors. Asdiscussed below in more detail, these arrangements facilitate easierinstallation and/or repair. Arranging some or all of these components inthis fashion further reduces the footprint required within the basedeck. Arranging some or all of these components in this fashion alsoenables better use of the elevational space within the base deck.

Several of the embodiments discussed herein facilitate easy assembly andrepair operations. For example, in some embodiments a hard drive isassembled by placing a lower VCMA and a lower actuator in a base deck.This lower VCMA and lower actuator may be the second VCMA 224B and thesecond actuator 212B discussed above. A lower electrical connector(e.g., the second electrical connector 234B) and a lower flexibleconductive ribbon (e.g., the flexible conductive ribbon 232B) are addedto the base deck and placed in electrical communication. As discussedabove, this configuration forms a dynamic loop and enables externalcircuitry to communicate signals with the lower VCMA and the loweractuator through the lower electrical connector. In some embodiments,this step may include adding a lower support member that supports theelectrical connector.

With those components in place, an upper dynamic loop can be added tothe base deck with an upper VCMA (e.g., the first VCMA 224A), an upperactuator (e.g., the first actuator 212A), an upper flexible connectorribbon (e.g., the flexible conductive ribbon 232A), and an upperconnector (e.g., the first electrical connector 234A). This step mayalso include adding an upper support member (e.g., the first supportmember 242A) and a flex circuit (flex circuit 240). The two electricalconnectors are placed in electrical communication, with the lowerelectrical connector separately communicating signals for the lower VCMAand lower actuator as well as signals for the other electrical connector(for the upper VCMA and upper actuator). In this manner, two independentdynamic loops are used for independent operations. Securement memberscan fix the support members in place as well as strengthen theelectrical connection between the two electrical connectors.

Should the upper VCMA, the upper actuator, the upper flexible connectorribbon, and/or the upper electrical connector need to be repaired and/orreplaced, some or all of those components may be removed from the basedeck and/or replaced within the base deck without needing to move orremove the lower VCMA, the lower actuator, the lower flexible connectorribbon, and/or the lower electrical connector. This stackableconfiguration also allows each VCMA to be constructed in a top-downmanner.

As discussed herein, the design in some embodiments is generally smallerthan configurations that fit two connectors side-by-side. Sizerequirements are further reduced as power pins are shared betweenactuators. Furthermore, in some embodiments each head stack assembly canbe fabricated individually using existing assembly methods for singleactuator designs, and then configured at drive assembly to be a dualactuator design.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, the various electrical connectors describedabove can be used with multi-actuator configurations where the actuatorsdo not rotate around a common axis. While the embodiments describedabove refer to particular features, the scope of this invention alsoincludes embodiments having different combinations of features andembodiments that do not include all of the described features.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embraceall such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within thescope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data storage device comprising: a firstactuator and a second actuator rotatable around a common axis; a firstelectrical connector configured to communicate electrical signals to andfrom the first actuator via a first flexible conductive ribbon extendingbetween the first electrical connector and the first actuator; and asecond electrical connector separate from but in a vertically stackedarrangement with the first electrical connector, the second electricalconnector configured to communicate electrical signals to and from thesecond actuator via a second flexible conductive ribbon that isphysically separate from the first flexible conductive ribbon and thatextends between the second electrical connector and the second actuator.2. The data storage device of claim 1, further comprising a supportassembly coupled to the first electrical connector and the secondelectrical connector, the support assembly being configured to securethe first electrical connector and the second connector.
 3. The datastorage device of claim 2, wherein the support assembly comprises afirst support member and a second support member coupled to andconfigured to secure the first and second electrical connectors.
 4. Thedata storage device of claim 2, further comprising a spacing memberlocated between the first support member and the second support member.5. The storage device of claim 4, wherein the spacing member isconfigured to maintain a spacing between the first electrical connectorand the second electrical connector.
 6. The data storage device of claim1, further comprising a hermetically-sealed body, thehermetically-sealed body including a base deck and a top cover, whereinthe second electrical connector is configured to send and receiveelectrical signals to and from the first actuator and the secondactuator through a single aperture in the hermetically-sealed body. 7.The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the second electricalconnector is configured to communicate electrical signals to and fromthe second actuator, the first electrical connector, and circuitrylocated outside of the body through a single aperture in the body. 8.The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the first actuator and thesecond actuator operate independently of each other.
 9. The data storagedevice of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is located at a differentelevation than the second actuator and wherein the first electricalconnector is located at a different elevation than the second electricalconnector.
 10. The data storage device of claim 1, wherein the firstelectrical connector and the second electrical connector have asubstantially identical profile.
 11. The data storage device of claim 1,wherein the first electrical connector and the second electricalconnector each have a set of conductive pins.
 12. The data storagedevice of claim 1, wherein the first electrical connector iselectrically coupled between the first actuator and the secondelectrical connector.
 13. The data storage device of claim 1, whereinthe first electrical connector is electrically coupled to the secondelectrical connector via a flexible circuit.
 14. A data storage devicecomprising: a base deck; a first actuator and a second actuatorrotatable with respect to the base deck around a common axis; a supportassembly including a first support member and a second support member; afirst electrical connector compressed at least partially between thefirst support member and the second support member; and a secondelectrical connector at least partially compressed between the secondsupport member and the base deck.
 15. The data storage device of claim14, further comprising a spacing member positioned between the firstsupport member and the second support member.
 16. The data storagedevice of claim 14, further comprising a flexible circuit electricallycoupled between the first electrical connector and the second electricalconnector.
 17. The data storage device of claim 16, wherein the flexiblecircuit wraps at least partially around the first support member. 18.The data storage device of claim 16, further comprising a first flexibleconductive ribbon electrically coupling the first electrical connectorand the first actuator and further comprising a second flexibleconductive ribbon electrically coupling the second electrical connectorto the second actuator.
 19. The data storage device of claim 14, whereinthe second electrical connector has more conductive pins than the firstelectrical connector.
 20. The data storage device of claim 14, whereinthe second electrical connector extends at least partially within anaperture in the base deck.